We continue in Mark for our Summer Reading Challenge of 2022. Todays reflections from Mark chapter 15, address the final moments before the death of Jesus and how even in the midst of mocking, the Messiah is Magnified.
- Mark chapter 15 has 5 main movements: (1) Jesus is delivered to Pilate & questioned (15:1-5); (2) Jesus is scourged & delivered to be crucified (15:6-15); (3) Jesus is mocked by a battalion of soldiers (15:16-20); (4) Jesus is crucified and dies (15:21-41); and (5) Jesus is buried (15:42-47).
- Today’s episode looks at how throughout Jesus final day before His crucifixion, what the crowds said and did in mockery not only fulfill the Scriptures, but they also inadvertently speak the truth.
Mockery in Part 1: Pilate Proclaim Jesus is King of the Jews
- The chief priests and elders and scribes and the whole council bind Jesus and deliver him over to Pilate. Among their many accusations, the one that concerned Pilate the most was that Jesus was being called “King of the Jews” (15:2).
- Certainly the way that Jesus claimed that He fulfilled the Scriptures and God’s promises to have a king on the throne of David would have been a claim to be King.
- Having a competing King over the Jews would have created chaos in the region and that was something that Pilate could not afford. His role as the Roman governor of the region was to maintain the peace during the Passover.
- Prior to any action of Pilate, he calls Jesus the King of the Jews three times (15:2, 9, 12).
- Then Pilate, at the request of the people, stirred up by the religious leaders, agrees with the people to release Barabbas. It is quite ironic – this man who had committed murder, and was essentially a terrorist in the eyes of Rome, a convicted criminal — he was released over against a man that, according to Pilate, had committed no wrong deserving of death.
- As a side note — consider this substitution — the righteous for the unrighteous. A man let free, and in his place Jesus undergoes a means of execution that was reserved from criminals who were convicted of treason.
- Is this not you and me?
- But continuing…
Mockery in Part 2: Roman Soldiers Proclaim Jesus is King of the Jews
- After having him scourged, Pilate delivers Jesus over to the soldiers for the crucifixion. Prior to publicly executing Him, they clothed him with royal colors and made a crown of thorns for him. In mockery, they saluted him and knelt before Him in homage to Him. They struck Him where the thorns were placed upon His head and spit upon Him.
- Where the soldiers may have thought they were showing the world what happens to any kings against the Roman Empire — in reality, they were telling the truth — He is the King! And though they bow in mockery now — there will be a day when every knee will bow! And in reality they were fulfilling prophecies from the Old Testament as well as from Jesus’ own words.
- As was common, the authorities would hang a sign that listed the crime of those condemned to such a horrific death. And Jesus’ sign read: “The King of the Jews” (15:26).
- And as he was hanging upon the Cross, they divided his garments among themselves and cast lots for them – like conquerors would the spoils of their exploits.
- Again, even in the midst of this mockery, we see some amazing things:
- The dividing of Jesus’ garments is itself a fulfillment of Psalm 22:18. Psalm 22 is one of the most detailed descriptions of a Crucifixion. The odd thing is, Psalm 22 was written several hundred years before crucifixion was even invented. Interestingly enough, Jesus quotes from Psalm 22:1 on the Cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me” (15:34)?
- Furthermore, consider these words from the book of Galatians: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us–for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree'” (Galatians 3:13). That quote is from Deuteronomy 27:26. Jesus is hung upon a wooden cross (in this case, suspended by nails). The New Testament authors see Jesus being cursed — rather, becoming a curse — for us.
- We might make a further note — the crown which the soldiers fashioned for him was a crown of thorns. In Genesis 3:18 we see that thorns were a product of, or symbol of, the curse.
- So the symbol of the curse placed upon the head of Jesus, he becomes a curse by hanging upon a tree — and by so doing, he would redeem those under the curse.
Mockery in Part 3: Passers by & Scribes Proclaim Jesus is King of Israel
- The mockery is only amplified as people passed by. The chief priests with the scribes – the spiritual leaders of their communities join in the mocking. “He saved others; he cannot save himself” they say in 15:31.
- Indeed — Jesus had said, “I am the good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11); and “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:15); and “the Son of Man came… to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
- Once again, we see the leaders in mockery proclaiming the truth, that Jesus is “the Christ, the King of Israel” (15:32). And interestingly enough, they say, “Let [Him] come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Jesus will do them one better.
- As he foretold, He will lay down his life. He will let them kill Him — kill Him thoroughly — as we read from the other Gospel accounts, have a spear thrust into his chest. But not only will He be killed – He will rise again after three days.
- Yet as we know, they will not believe His resurrection, despite an empty tomb & the eye witness testimony of many people, they would rather concoct a story about a stolen body — confirming that the tomb was empty.
- But let me not get ahead of myself – that is for chapter 16!
Magnified in Part 4: The Centurion Proclaims Jesus is the Son of God
- As Jesus was there upon the Cross, from noon until three in the afternoon, Mark says that darkness covered the land (15:33). And as the Son of Man breaths his last, we see a fascinating thing – the centurion, who was given charge over the crucifixion says — “Truly this man was the Son of God” (15:39).
- This man who had likely observed the death of hundreds of crucified criminals, beholds now the death of Jesus. And while this man likely did not have a complete understanding of Jesus’ identity or why He came or probably hardly any of teaching — YET he makes this remarkable statement.
- Why make much of this statement? Mark found it significant enough to record. While so many in this chapter mocked Jesus — it seems this centurion’s tune in different.
Conclusion:
- So my friend, as we walk through Mark 15, we have seen some incredible things. All the things that we covered in this chapter were said by those who were initially opposed Jesus. And yet, their proclamation is true — Jesus is the Christ, the King of the Jews, the King of Israel, the Son of God who saved others! While there were many who Mocked Jesus – He is magnified even in the midst of their malice.
- My friend, come behold this glorious Jesus! If you didn’t listen to the song “Jerusalem” mentioned in yesterday’s episode, I would encourage you to do so today – see the link in the description below.